Apr 08, 2025

2022-2023 General Catalog

2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Creative Writing Concentration

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Creative writing is offered in the English Department through both undergraduate and graduate degrees. A master of arts in English with a creative thesis option is available as a 34-unit program, and the bachelor of arts in English with a creative writing emphasis is a 48-unit program. Sequences of courses are available in fiction writing, poetry writing, screen and script writing, and nonfiction writing.

An Introductory Course

Complete one of the following courses Or relevant GE courses and other courses from the School of Arts and Humanities per consultation with a department advisor:

ENGL 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
ENGL 207 - Introduction to Creative Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 273 - Critical and Creative Readings of Literary Texts Unit(s): 4
ENGL 307 - Introduction to Fiction Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 318 - Introduction to Poetry Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 352 - Personal Essay Unit(s): 4

Three 300/400 Level Creative Writing Courses

Complete three of the following courses. Courses must be from at least two of the three different genre groupings listed below (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction):

A Senior Capstone Course

Complete the following course:

ENGL 435 - Directed Writing Unit(s): 2-8

Additional Advanced or Experiential Course

Students who declare minors in a related field may consult with a department advisor for the possibility of waiving or double-counting units in Additional Advanced or Experiential Course.

Complete one or more of the following courses for a total of four units:

ENGL 368 - Small Press Editing: ZAUM Unit(s): 4
ENGL 395 - Community Involvement Program Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 460 - Teaching Assistant in English Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 462 - Research Assistant in English Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 499 - Internship Unit(s): 1-4

Any 400-level Literature Course

ENGL 401 - Introduction to Modern Critical Theory Unit(s): 4
ENGL 402 - Introduction to Digital Humanities Unit(s): 4
ENGL 403 - Contemporary World Literature: Form and Practice Unit(s): 4
ENGL 435 - Directed Writing Unit(s): 2-8
ENGL 439 - Studies in Shakespeare Unit(s): 4
ENGL 448 - Periods in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 481 - Studies in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 484 - Individual Authors: English Unit(s): 4
ENGL 450 - Periods in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 482 - Studies in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 483 - Individual Authors: American Unit(s): 4
ENGL 487 - Studies in Rhetoric Unit(s): 4

Any 400-level Creative Writing Course

ENGL 407 - Advanced Fiction Writing Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 409 - Master Class-Fiction Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 418 - Advanced Poetry Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 430 - Creative Writing: Select Genres Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 475 - Master Class in Nonfiction Unit(s): 4

Units

Total units in the Creative Writing concentration: 24

Sample Four-Year Program

English, B.A., Creative Writing Concentration

Freshman Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (16 Units)

Lower Division GE Area A2: Written Communication
: ENGL 101 - Expository Writing and Analytical Reading Unit(s): 3 OR
ENGL 100A - First-Year Composition Unit(s): 3
Lower Division GE Area C2: Humanities
ENGL 160A - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
Lower Division GE Area B4: Quantitative Reasoning
Credits / Units: 3
Lower Division GE Area C1: Arts
Credits / Units: 3
Lower Division GE Credits / Units: 3

Spring Semester (14 Units)

Lower Division GE Area B1: Physical Sciences
OR
Lower Division GE Area B2: Life Sciences
+B3: Laboratory Activity Credits / Units: 4
Lower Division GE Area A3: Critical Thinking
: ENGL 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
Lower Division GE Area D: Social Sciences
Credits / Units: 3
Lower Division GE Area A1: Oral Communication
:
ENGL 200 - Teaching CA Histories of Schooling & Education Unit(s): 3
ENGL 100B - First-Year Composition Unit(s): 3 (if ENGL 100A taken in fall semester)

Sophomore Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 235 - Early British & American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 201 - Literary Analysis: Seminar Unit(s): 4
GE Area D: Social Sciences Credits / Units: 3
GE Area B2 with lab Credits / Units: 3-4

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 236 - Later British & American Lit. Unit(s): 4
Additional Major or General Elective ** Credits / Units: 3
GE Area D Credits / Units: 3
ENGL 207 - Introduction to Creative Writing Unit(s): 4

Junior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 350 - Survey in a Distinct Ethnic Tradition Unit(s): 4
300/400 level CW class Credits / Units: 4
UD GE Area C Credits / Units: 3
GE Area B Credits / Units: 3

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 339 - Introduction to Shakespeare Unit(s): 3-4 (4 Units Required)
or
ENGL 439 - Studies in Shakespeare Unit(s): 4
300/400 CW class Credits / Units: 4
UD GE Area D Credits / Units: 3
Major or General Electives ** Credits / Units: 3

Senior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 401 - Introduction to Modern Critical Theory Unit(s): 4
or
ENGL 402 - Introduction to Digital Humanities Unit(s): 4
or
ENGL 403 - Contemporary World Literature: Form and Practice Unit(s): 4
or
ENGL 487 - Studies in Rhetoric Unit(s): 4
300/400 level CW Class Credits / Units: 4
UD GE Area E Credits / Units: 3
Electives Credits / Units: 3-4

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 435 - Directed Writing Unit(s): 2-8 (4 Units Required)
or
ENGL 368 - Small Press Editing: ZAUM Unit(s): 4
Additional Major or General Electives Credits / Units: 3-4
Experiential course in major **** Credits / Units: 3-4
Electives Credits / Units: 3-4

Total Units: 120

**Be sure to take 4 additional English major elective units if took neither ENGL 160B as a freshman or a C1 or C2 course in the English Department (ENGL 207 , ENGL 273 , ENGL 314 , ENGL 315 , ENGL 345 ). (see concentration plan in catalog)

****See list in Catalog of accepted experiential courses for CW concentration

For 300/400 level CW courses, see catalog description for upper division CW courses.

Common Searches

Creative Writing Concentration

An Introductory Course

Three 300/400 Level Creative Writing Courses

Fiction

Poetry

Nonfiction, Personal Essay, and Select Genres

A Senior Capstone Course

Additional Advanced or Experiential Course

Any 400-level Literature Course

Any 400-level Creative Writing Course

Units

Sample Four-Year Program

English, B.A., Creative Writing Concentration

Freshman Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (16 Units)

Spring Semester (14 Units)

Sophomore Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

Spring Semester (15 Units)

Junior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

Spring Semester (15 Units)

Senior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

Spring Semester (15 Units)

Total Units: 120

First-Year Advising Guide